Rally cry for Bluebirds

Cardiff boss Dave Jones has called on his players to "rise to the occasion" against Barnsley.

The Bluebirds take on the Tykes for a place in this year's FA Cup final, which Jones describes as the "biggest game in the history of the club for many, many years".

It will be the first time City have appeared in the last four of the Cup since 1927 - the year they went on to become the only non-English side to lift the famous trophy.

Now Jones has challenged his team to write their own names into Cardiff folklore.

"The further you go in competitions, the games become bigger and bigger. There's no bigger than this one," he said.

"People say 'go and enjoy it', but you will only enjoy it if you win."

He added: "I know which is the best feeling, and it's certainly winning things and not losing."

Jones admits his team talks have always been short and sweet - not that he should have to provide any extra motivation for a game of this magnitude anyway.

"If they need to be told that they are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup then they are not on the same planet, to be fair. I think they realise what the game is all about," he said.

"It's the biggest game in the history of the club for many, many years - and we want to do ourselves proud and the supporters proud."

The game will provide Cardiff, who will begin as favourites, with a rare opportunity to play in front of a global audience - a chance which Jones is keen for them to simultaneously savour and seize.

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